Liverpool are heading into the final two weeks of the summer transfer window still yet to do any business.
The Reds have seen plenty of change since the end of the season, with a switch in head coach just the tip of the iceberg.
As well as Arne Slot arriving to build on what Jurgen Klopp achieved at Anfield over the past decade, Liverpool also found themselves with a new coaching staff and a fresh sporting director.
All of that churn contributed to an understandably slow start in the market. But with Slot evaluating the first-team squad while out in America, it had looked like Liverpool would be busy upon their return.
A failed attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi aside, that is yet to happen. And supporters are starting to get restless.
Danny Murphy reacts to Martin Zubimendi decision
Liverpool’s push to make Zubimendi their new No.6 had looked bold from the outset.
The 25-year-old had previously rejected the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona in favour of staying with his boyhood club, Real Sociedad.
Nevertheless, Zubimendi looked perfect for Liverpool and you can see exactly why Slot earmarked him as the man to take his midfield up another level.
In the end, though, the Spaniard’s heart has ruled his head. He will stay in San Sebastian once more.
Reacting to the news that Zubimendi will not be leaving La Real, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has claimed that he’s ‘gobsmacked’ by the decision.
READ MORE: Liverpool ‘seriously considering’ another signing after losing out on Martin Zubimendi
“It’s disappointing,” Murphy told TalkSPORT (12/08/24 9.07pm). “I am a bit gobsmacked because it’s hard to put yourself in somebody’s shoes without having all the details and the understanding of it, but chances to join one of the biggest clubs in Europe aren’t going to come around every day.
“Now, he might have belief in himself and he is a talent, real talented young player. We have seen glimpses of him and I am sure the big boys in Spain are all admirers and he has got time on his hands,” adds the pundit.
“But you know football, bad injury, six months of bad form, something can happen externally in your life, all these things can contribute to you going on a bit of a spell where you are not the player you were.
“I don’t mean financial, I am talking about the opportunity to play Champions League every week for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”
Will Liverpool target an alternative?
There was always a chance that Liverpool’s pursuit of Zubimendi would end in tears for the Reds.
The Euro 2024 winner had form in turning down moves away from his home town and Liverpool really should have had an ironclad ‘yes’ from him before making him their top target.
Unfortunately, it seems that not only was Zubimendi Liverpool’s first choice to fill the vacant No.6 position, he was in fact their only choice.
Journalist David Lynch has reported that Liverpool will not target an alternative to Zubimendi after the Spain international turned them down.
While we’re not quite as gobsmacked as Murphy that the Sociedad midfielder said no to the Reds, we are stunned that they think they can competitively get through another season without making a signing in deep-lying midfield.
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